The Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) cordially invites everyone to the Festival of Neighborhoods, beginning at 2-5 p.m. Nov. 13 in Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech. The auditorium will open at 1:45 p.m. for workshop registration. Parking is available beside the Simpson and Ferguson buildings. Look for signs to direct you.

The 2016 Festival of Neighborhoods will feature workshops and a neighborhood resource area for information on services and organizations that can help support your work to create positive change in your neighborhood. We are pleased to offer four workshops with knowledgeable, outstanding presenters:

The Circle Forward Governance Program led by Tracy Kunkler: Do a few voices dominate your meetings? Do you sometimes leave meetings wondering what was accomplished? Could your neighborhood organization be much more effective than it is now? We use governance every day in our families, our organizations and at our jobs. Some forms of governance can help our life or organizations move forward with elegant coordination, while others create obstacles and even lead to breakdown. Many local groups have implemented and are using a new system called Circle Forward. With Circle Forward at the core, decision-making taps the value of everyone’s unique contribution. We can experience a greater level of connection and shared leadership.

Preventing Crime in Your Neighborhood led by Asheville Police Officer Keith McCulloch: This workshop will focus on what crime prevention is and how it affects you and your community, and offer proven techniques to help reduce crime and make you less vulnerable. Handouts will be available at the workshop and as documents that can be downloaded at participants’ convenience. Officer McCulloch will also include information about partnerships between APD and neighborhoods.

Creating a Vision for Your Neighborhood led by former City Councilman Chris Pelly and Teddy Jordan, President of the Kenilworth Residents Association and Neighborhood Activist: Strong neighborhoods cannot happen without strong citizens. That’s you! Learn ways to engage our neighbors and create the community we desire. This workshop will cover leadership development at neighborhood level; using challenges as a means to empower your community; and building a neighborhood identity.

Creating a Stronger Neighborhood Using Social Media led by Polly McDaniel City of Asheville Communication and Social Media Specialist: This workshop will share information on how to use social media outlets to strengthen your neighborhood’s communication networks. It will focus on creative ways to engage your neighbors in building a strong neighborhood organization.

The afternoon schedule will be as follows:

2-2:15 p.m. Workshop registration

2:15-3 p.m. Choose one workshop.

3:05-3:45 p.m. Choose another workshop

3:45-4:30 p.m. Neighborhood networking, resources and refreshments

Organizations and services that provide resources for neighborhoods will be featured during the Neighborhood Networking. There will also be an opportunity for neighborhoods to complete a Neighborhood Registration and pick up information on the new Neighborhood Volunteer Award process.

This event is free and open to anyone in your neighborhood who would like to attend. We look forward to your joining us in celebration of the good work occurring in neighborhoods all across our City.

About the Neighborhood Advisory Committee

Asheville City Council established the Neighborhood Advisory Committee to help strengthen the bonds of community and improve the quality of life for residents.